Reel device



Feb. 7, 1967 c. L. BRINKMAN REEL DEVICE 5 Sheets-$heet 1 Filed Dec. .20, 1965 M T N 5. ML M m.

1%? c. 1.. BRINKMAN 3302,90

REEL DEVICE Filed Dec. 20, 1965 5 Sheets-$heet 2 /NVEN TOR. (WA RLES .4. gmlxm N wozmz V, W? a. 1.... BRINKMAN REEL DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed D60. .20, 1965 Feb, Ti, W67 c. 1... BRINKMAN REEL DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 20, 1965 United States Patent 3,302,902 REEL DEVICE Charles L. Brinkman, 3118 Atherton Road, Dayton, Ohio 45409 Filed Dec. 20, 1965, Ser. No. 515,260 Claims. (Cl. 242110.1)

This is a continuation-impart of application Serial Number 228,866, filed October 8, 1962, now US. Patent 3,228,624 issued January 11, 1966.

The present invention relates to material feedingand/ or storage, and more particularly to an improved stock reel device having adjustable and yielding elements.

The present invention relates particularly to the art of forming or shaping metallic objects by a suitable machine, for example, a punch press or other press, wherein stock is fed to the machine continuously and/or intermittently at a desired rate from a reel device upon which the stock previously has been wound. However, it will be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited thereto and that it is applicable in any industry in which a web of any desired material is carried by a reel device or the like and is fed therefrom at a desired rate, either continuously and/or intermittently, as needed to a desired location for any desired purpose.

In general, reel devices are known and heretofore have been employed in industry with varying degrees of success. However, prior to the present invention, such prior known devices generally were subject to the disadvantage that they required and occupied very substantial and considerable amounts of valuable floor space which is expensive not only from a cost viewpoint but also from the viewpoint that such space could be employed for other productive purposes. Also, in many industrial operations, it is highly desirable that stock be fed from a reel device to a desired location under controlled tension without kinking of the stock and at the same time avoiding uneven feeding thereof.

Generally, the above-mentioned difficulties are overcome and the desirable features are achieved by the embodiment of the present invention in a reel device provided with braking means adjustably controlled in response to variations in stock feeding tension together with means for exerting a controllable force between the reel device and'the stock carried thereon to assure even feeding thereof.

Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide means for obviating the above mentioned difiiculties.

Another object of the invention is to provide a space saving reel device of simple, sturdy and compact construction having braking means automatically controlled in response to variations in stock feeding tension.

Another object is in the provision of an improved stock reel device having guide means to prevent kinking of material fed from the device to greatly reduce the space requirements thereof, and braking means cooperatively associated with the guide means to provide braking action that is automatically controlled in response to variations in stock feeding tension.

A further object of the invention is to provide a stock reel device including braking means of the character set forth and having both coarse and fine adjusting means for handling a wide range of materials of various widths.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved reel device where certain elements thereof selectively exert a controllable force against stock carried thereby.

Still another object is in the provision of fluid actuated means for selectively and releasably exerting force on stock carried by the reel device to assure even feeding of the stock.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent "ice from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a reel device embodying the improved braking and guiding means in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the device of FIGURE 1 in vertical section taken on line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of the assemblage of FIGURE 2 from the far side thereof;

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of the showing of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the Vernier adjustment structure of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a modified (plural reel) form of the invention;

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of the species of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a view similar to that of FIGURE 1 but differing in the provision of the improved means for exerting a controllable pressure or force between the reel structure and the stock carried thereby; and,

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary sectional View of the embodiment of FIGURE 8 looking in the direction of arrows 9-9.

With reference to FIGURES 1 to 5 inclusive of the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates the reel support and brake assemblage while numeral 11 designates the relatively stiff strip material held thereby and supplied under constant tension to a machine, not shown, positioned immediately to the left of the assemblage of FIGURE 1. The assemblage 10 comprises a frame formed of two parallel inverted base channel bars 12 and 13 to which are welded a pair of inclined channel bars 14 and 15 welded at their lower ends to bars 12 and 13 and at their upper ends to a tubular member 16.

Tubular member 16 has fixed therein a horizontal-axis ball or roller bearing 17 in which is journaled a reelsupporting shaft 17'. A reel generally designated 18 is removably fastened to shaft 17' and comprises a hub member 19 having four radially extending bosses 20 axially bored to form sockets for four rod spokes 21 spaced apart. Each spoke 21 carries a sleeve 22 adjustable therealong and provided with a laterally extending boss 23. Each boss 23 is bored and threaded to receive the threaded short leg of an L-shaped arm 24 which (together with the outer extremity of the spoke 21 to which it is attached by its supporting sleeve 22) form bifurcated holders generally designated 25 for the spirally wound coil 26 of strip material 11. Strip 11 passes from coil 26 under and over an auxiliary drum or idler wheel 27 mounted by a ball or roller bearing 27 on a horizontally disposed shaft 28. Shaft 28 is one leg of an L-shaped bent rod, the other leg 29 of which is welded or otherwise fixed to a channel bar 30. Rod 29 and bar 30 constitute a rocker arm pivotally connected to frame bar 15 by a pivot pin 31 passing through aligned apertures in the apices of a pair of triangular plates 32 welded to the sides of bar 15.

The constant-tension automatic brake mechanism is very simply and economically provided by a V-pulley 33 serving as a brake drum and by a V-belt 34 serving as a brake shoe. Pulley 33 is keyed or otherwise non-rotatably fixed to shaft 17'. Belt 34 is clamped by a nut and bolt collectively designated 35 between the end of a metal strip 36 and its reversely bent end 37. The other end of the metal strip 36 has a series of apertures 38 therein for gross adjustment of the assemblage to belts of different sizes and to strip material of different characteristics. Said adjustment is conveniently effected by a screw 39 passing through a selected one of said apertures 38 and received in a tapped bore in the upper end of rocker arm bar 30.

Fine adjustment of the brake is provided by a sp1ingloaded device generally designated 40 (FIGURES 1-5 inclusive) and adjustably acting between rocker arm bar 30 and frame bar 15 (FIGURE 5). Device 40 comprises a section of channel bar 41 welded to the lower end of bar 30 and overlying the upper surface of frame bar 15. Each end of the bight portion of part 41 is apertured at 41' to receive loosely therethrough a headed screw 43 adjustably engaged in a tapped bore in frame bar 15. A coiled spring 44 is compressed between the head of each screw 43 and a washer 45 bridging each aperture 41. Thus, by loosening one screw 43 and tightening the other one, more or less spring force can be added to or subtracted from the gravity force produced by the weight of the auxiliary drum on its tilted rocker arm 29-30 for varying the tension on the loop of strip material 11 passing over said drum, the tension adjustably selected being maintained by the automatic braking action described below.

The ends of base frame bars 12 and 13, FIGURES 1-4, are desirably provided with leveling screws 46- to compensate for any irregularities in the floor surface supporting the apparatus.

The disclosure of FIGURES 6 and 7 differs from that of FIGURES 1 to 5 only in the use of a plurality of reels of substantially identical size and construction and carrying the same quantities of strip material of the same characteristics. Since the parts of FIGURES 6 and 7 are the same as in FIGURES l5, the same reference characters are applied thereto.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 8 and 9, the structural differences involved are only those relating to the structure of the reel 18. As noted heretofore, it is desirable to provide means for exerting a force in a radially outward direction against the coil of material 26. This is accomplished, in accordance with the invention, by replacing elements 2125 inclusive, FIGURES 1-7 inclusive, with the structural features now to be described.

Such features are included in the modified embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 8 and 9. As before, reel-supporting shaft 17 is arranged and serves the same purpose as in the preceding figures. However, shaft 17 is now provided with a central bore or passageway 17a. Also, in this embodiment, reel 18' is also removably fastened to shaft 17 and comprises a hub member 19a having four bosses 20 to receive and support four spokes 21a equally spaced apart and suitably secured to bosses 20, for example, by welding. Hub member 19a is provided with cross passageways 19b in communication with passageway 17a. Spokes 21a are also provided with internal passageways 21b that communicate with passageway 19b. Thus, in effect, for reasons which will appear presently, since passageways 17a, 19b and 21b are all connected together and in fluid communication, they thus form a single fluid passageway. At the outer extremity of spokes 21a, a piston 47 is secured, for example, by known threaded fastener or screw means 48. Piston 47 is mounted for relatively sliding movement within a cylinder 49 having end closures 50, 51. Threaded fastening means 48 is provided with a central passageway 48a that is relatively large as compared to a similar passageway 47a that is relatively small as compare-d to passageway 48a. Thus, fluid communication is established between passageways 17a, 19b, 21b and the upper interior portion 52 of cylinder 49 by passageway 48a. Similarly, fluid communication is established between the upper interior portion 52 of cylinder 49 and the lower portion 53 thereof by means of connecting passageway 47a.

An extension spoke 54 is connected to cylinder 49 by any convenient means, for example, by welding. As illustrated in the drawings, spoke 54 is of tubular construction and is provided with a hollow central portion 55 closed at both ends thereof by a closure 56, 57.

The wall of cylinder 49 is provided with an opening 490 aligned and in registry with a similar opening 54a provided in the wall of spoke 54. Thus, the interior portion 52 of cylinder 49 is in fluid communication with the interior portion 55 of spoke 54 by means of the connecting passageway formed by aligned openings 49a and 54a.

At the end portion of shaft 17 and cooperatively disposed relative to passageway 170, there is provided a threaded portion 58 for connection with a suitable fitting (not shown) for connection to a suitable source (not shown) of fluid under pressure. When fluid under pressure is so connected and supplied to the device, such pressure will be communicated to the upper portion 52 of cylinder 49 by means of connecting passageways 17a, 19b, 21b and 48a. The application of such pressure to interior portion 52 causes cylinder 49 and spoke 54 to move radially outward since piston 47 and spoke 21a are connected to the hub member 19a.

Means are provided for permitting the outward movement of cylinder 49 and spoke 54 as thus described and at the same time restraining such movement within desired limits. This is accomplished in accordance with the invention by the provision of a floating circular plate 59 connected to each of the four cylinders 49 by four separate links 60 as is best illustrated in FIGURE 8 where only one of such links is shown in the interests of clarity. The outermost end of link 60 is connected to cylinder 49 .by a pin 61 and the inner end of the link is connected to plate 59 by a pin 62.

Each of cylinders 49 is provided with guiding means to avoid binding which might otherwise occur between cylinder 49 and piston 47 if these elements were subjected to unusually heavy strain. A rib 63 is suitably connected to cylinder 49 by any convenient means, as by welding, and extends longitudinally and in a direction generally parallel with the axis of the cylinder. The ribs 63 are slidably mounted within radial slots 64 provided in a plate 65 so that the cylinders 49 are free to move either inwardly or outwardly but are constrained to move in a radial direction. At the outer extremities of ribs 63, there is connected thereto by any convenient means, for example, threaded fastening means 66, a curved shoe or bearing member 67 for exerting ressure against the inner surface of coil 26 when cylinder 49 moves outwardly in the manner described above.

If desired, a guide element (not shown) but similar to arm 24 (FIGURE 1) may also be connected to rib 63 by threaded fastening means 66 which, together with spoke 54, would form a bifurcation similar to 25 (FIG- URE 1) within which coil 26 is retained. Alternatively, coil retention means may be employed as illustrated in FIGURE 9. Such retention means includes a central portion comprising a hub 69 having a flanged portion 70 to which are connected arms 71, 72. Hub 69 is provided with a central bore thereby enabling it to be slipped over shaft 17' and secured thereto by a thumb screw 73 or other suitable securing means.

In order to maintain ribs 63 and slots 64 in a properly spaced and centered relation relative to shaft 17', plate 65 is secured by any convenient means, as by welding to a hub 68 having a central bore therein closely fitted with and slidably engageable upon the shaft 17'.

In the interests of clarity and simplicity, the connection between element 15 and element 30 is merely shown as a pivoted connection in FIGURE 8 but it will be understood that such connection may include the adjusting means 40 illustrated in FIGURES 1 through 7 inclusive if desired.

In the operation of the device, the operator first disconnects the device from the source of fluid pressure. Usually, such disconnecting means will be a known type of valve which forms no part of the present invention and accordingly is not shown. The operator then removes the retention means comprising hub 69, flange portion 70 and arms 71, 72 from shaft 17' by loosening thumb screw 73.

n e the device has been removed from the pressure source, cylinder 49, extension spoke 54, and curved shoes 67 will be fully retracted to their innermost position for reasons which will appear presently. Accordingly, the operator can easily place a coil 26 of material over the shoes 67 and against extension spokes 54 in the position best illustrated in FIGURE 8. The retention means comprising hub 60, flange portion 70 and arms 71, 72 is then replaced on the end of shaft 17' and secured thereto by thumb screw 73. The free end of material 11 from coil 26 is then looped around drum 27 as illustrated in FIG- URE 8 and the free end is connected to the tension device of a machine, not shown, where the material is to be used. The operator then reconnects passageway 17a with the pressure source and the device is then ready for operation.

As noted above, when fluid under pressure is supplied to pasageway 17a, such pressure is communicated to the upper cylinder portion 52, 21b and 48a.

Ultimately, the pressure in the lower portion 53 and in the spoke portion 55 will become equalized with the pressure existing in the upper portion 52 because the ends of extension spoke 54 are closed by closures 56 and 57. However, initially, because of the restriction provided by passageway 47a which is small compared to the other passageways, a differential pressure will exist with the pressure in upper portion 52 exceeding that existing in lower portion 53, thus causing cylinder 49 and shoes 67 to move radially outward relative to spokes 21a and exert a force in a radially outward direction on coil 26 carried thereby. Within a very short interval, the pressure in the lower portion 53 and hollow portion 55 will become equalized with that existing in upper portion 52 so that cylinder 49 and shoes 67'will remain in the outwardly extended position as long as such equalized pressure condition exists.

When the operator disconnects passageway 17a from the source of fluid under pressure, and simultaneously vents passageway 17a to the atmosphere, the pressure in upper portion 52 will quickly fall to a value approaching atmospheric pressure since the connecting passageways between upper portion 52 and passageway 17a are relatively large. During such interval, and because of the restriction provided by small passageway 47a the pressure remaining in hollow portion 55 and lower portion 53 Will remain relatively high as compared to that existing in upper portion 52 thus causing cylinder 49 to return to its radially retracted position. Thus, it will be seen that the invention provides simple means for the relative shifting of the movable elements thereof and does not require springs or other biasing means nor does it require the use of a double acting hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the invention and it is intended to include in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device of the character described, a reel comprising shaft means,

a plurality of hollow spoke means connected to the shaft means and extending radially outwardly therefrom in equally spaced apart relation,

piston means connected to each of said spoke means,

cylinder means substantially closed at both ends there of with said piston means disposed within the cylinder means and the spoke means extending through one of said ends for relative slidable and reciprocable movement therebetween,

means including passage means within said spoke means and said shaft means for supplying fluid under pressure into said cylinder means; at the end opposite to said one end thereof, and

means including restricted passage for establishing fluid communication within said cylinder means between both ends thereof.

2. Structure in accordance with claim 1 wherein said restricted passage means extends through said piston means.

3. Structure in accordance with claim 1 and also including tubular extension spoke means connected to said cylinder means, closure means for closing both ends of said extension spoke means, and means connecting the interior of said spoke means in fluid communication with the interior of said cylinder means adjacent said one end thereof.

4. A device of the character described comprising a frame structure, reel means rotatably mounted on said structure and adapted to carry a supply of coiled material, and means for receiving material from said reel in one direction and for simultaneously feeding said material in an opposite direction and preventing kinking there of, said reel means including a plurality of hollow spoke means connected to the shaft means and extending radially outwardly therefrom in equally spaced apart relation,

piston means connected to each of said spoke means,

cylinder means substantially closed at both ends thereof with said piston means disposed within the cylinder means and the spoke means extending through one of said ends for relative slidable and reciprocable movement therebetween,

means including passage means within said spoke means and said shaft means for supplying fluid under pressure into said cylinder means at the end opposite to said one end thereof, and

means including restricted passage for establishing fluid communication within said cylinder means between both ends thereof.

5. Structure in accordance with claim 4 and also including tubular extension spoke means connected to said cylinder means, closure means for closing both ends of said extension spoke means, and means connecting the interior of said spoke means in fluid communication with the interior of said cylinder means adjacent said One end thereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,113,082 10/1914 Zeni 242-1l0.1 2,558,055 6/1951 Meredith 24272 X 2,950,071 8/1960 Tidland 242110.l X 3,228,624 1/1966 Brinkman 24275.43

FRANK I. COHEN, Primary Examiner.

N. L. MINTZ, Examiner. 

1. IN A DEVICE OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED, A REEL COMPRISING SHAFT MEANS, A PLURALITY OF HOLLOW SPOKE MEANS CONNECTED TO THE SHAFT MEANS AND EXTENDING RADIALLY OUTWARDLY THEREFROM IN EQUALLY SPACED APART RELATION, PISTON MEANS CONNECTED TO EACH OF SAID SPOKE MEANS, CYLINDER MEANS SUBSTANTIALLY CLOSED AT BOTH ENDS THEREOF WITH SAID PISTON MEANS DISPOSED WITHIN THE CYLINDER MEANS AND THE SPOKE MEANS EXTENDING THROUGH ONE OF SAID ENDS FOR RELATIVE SLIDABLE AND RECIPROCABLE MOVEMENT THEREBETWEEN, MEANS INCLUDING PASSAGE MEANS WITHIN SAID SPOKE MEANS AND SAID SHAFT MEANS FOR SUPPLYING FLUID UNDER PRESSURE INTO SAID CYLINDER MEANS AT THE END OPPOSITE TO SAID ONE END THEREOF, AND MEANS INCLUDING RESTRICTED PASSAGE FOR ESTABLISHING FLUID COMMUNICATION WITHIN SAID CYLINDER MEANS BETWEEN BOTH ENDS THEREOF. 